Subject: GS-3 Environment

Context:

• A study conducted in collaboration with an online food delivery platform in China suggests that green nudges can be an effective way to tackle Environmental Problems.

What is Nudges Theory?

• In behavioral economics, nudges are interventions that influence people’s choices to make certain decisions without restricting the choices available to them.
• Nudge Theory:
  • This theory was developed in 2008 by economist Richard Thaler. He reasons that the concept of “nudging” means helping people have more self-control to make decisions.
  • It suggests placing small, practical stimuli or “nudges” to guide us toward the decision that benefits us the most in the long term.
  • He won the Nobel Prize in economics in 2017.

About Green Nudge:

• Green nudges are gentle persuasions to influence environment-friendly behavior in people.
• Green nudges are a relatively new policy tool, but they have been shown to be effective in changing people’s behavior and reducing negative environmental impacts.
• They are a promising way to promote sustainable development without relying on traditional command-and-control regulations.
• Nudge techniques: Public awareness campaigns, Social Norms Marketing, and Community-based Initiatives.

Green Nudges to Tackle Climate Change:

• • Green nudges are a promising way to tackle climate change by encouraging people to make choices that are good for themselves, their communities, and the planet.

  • Examples

    • UK: “The Big Switch Off” campaign to encourage people to turn off lights and appliances when not in use.
    • Netherlands: “Pay as you throw” policy for garbage collection.’
    • US: San Francisco plastic bag ban.

Green Nudge Underlies the LiFE mission:

• The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilization’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption’.
• The LiFE Movement aims to utilize the power of collective action and nudge individuals across the world to undertake simple climate-friendly actions in their daily lives.

Nudge in Governance: 

• Nudge policies are becoming increasingly popular in India as policymakers look for ways to promote positive social and economic change without resorting to traditional command-and-control regulations.
  • For example nudge policies used in programs such as Swachh Bharat Mission, GiveItUp campaign  and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), etc

Source: The Hindu